Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-09-03
TRICKS In POLITICS.
BY HAROLD ]. CLEVELAND.
PART I.
+" Amt / a politician ?"

PART !.
"Ain't politician?"
That was the question of the Hon.
Jake Slocum, as he sank back into his
chair.
A student Of the faces of polit clans
would not have mistaken Jake Slocum
for anything else.
He was a politician in all that the
name implies. His fox-shaped face,
acutely pointed nose and bloodless lips
his small, twinkling eye, and thin, gray
locks of hair, all betrayed the calling OF
the man.
In dress he wore costume of modest
pattern but stylish cut Jewelry he
eschewed save the gold band that gilt
tered on one finger.
Pervading the man was an air Of
coarseness and gentility. He was so
open in his manner of approach that
honest men felt the chill of suspicion
when in his company.
He was styled Honorable for his serv-
ices to the High Taxation party, of
which he was leader in Jaco County.
He had distinguished himself during
Legislative sessions in the Third House,
and in the art of silencing the voice Of
the people he was an adept. With
these qualifications he possessed also a
lack of sensibility as to right and
wrong that gave him still stronger
claim to the title of politician.
Despite his advantages for arbitra-
ton through these experiences, he was
vulgar but strong. His power was that
of the middleman who acts as the agent
in unquestionable transactions between
mems consciences and his Satanic
Majesty.
He was unloved, but feared most by
those who knew him best.
Yet as politician he was honored for
his unchanging partizanship. Fathers
might desert their children but Slocum
abandon High Taxation-never.
His party was his religion, his love,
his life. Mems opinions changed, new
principles of government were favored,
and free-holders were forsaking the old
doctrines. Little that mattered to
Slocum. His watchword was "My
party first, then the people,"
Dang it, sir" said Farmer jerks to
him, when you get done with your in
fernal party there will lie nothing lett
for the people," Slocum smiled, looked
curiously at the Old man and re-
piled sententiously, my party first"
That was Slocum, politically; morally.
ugly rumors had been afioat of his
early days-of misdeeds more serious
than boyish pranks.
He had grown up with the prosperity
of Jaco County as warped tree flour
ishes in rich soil But hedged in as he
was by suspicion, it had come to pass
that he had assembled the rounds of the
political ladder from village constable
to city councilman, and thence up until
he stood at the threshold of the Legis.
lature.
He toiled not, neither did he spin,
yet the finest rainment and the fat of
the land were his. On the western
border there was not a man who re-
ceived more from men than he, nor who
gave back less.
It was in this day of his indepen-
dence that Slocum, asked by his party
to solve political problem, put the
question to three of the members of
that party, if he was not politician.
Of the trio, Luke Carruth, Sheriff of
Jaco County, answered "Yes."
Then" continued Slocum. eef say
Scotty goes free, he does"
''No, sir" said Carruth, springing to
his feet, 'Shall dishonor myself to
save my party or yours? Put myself
IN your power, Slocum, SO that at your
back may be branded as a scoundrel?
For what? To keep me- Sheriff of Jaco
County for the next two years. Ask
some other sacrifice than my honor.
Scotty shall not go free"
"Boh, was Slocum's contemptuous
reioinder.
Jaco County, lying on the border line
of the Northwestern frontier. was in the
throes of political contest. The high
taxation faction had been the dominant
party for years. But the times were
ripening for change and the new party
known as the Freeholders threatened
to carry the day.
The situation was critical for the
High Taxationists, and in their distress
they appealed to Jake SIocum
his power for their salvation.
Given carte blanche, he now at once
summoned to conference three of the |
strongest men, and among them Sheriff |
Carruth, who was candidate for re-
election.
Assembled. Slocum, his plan matured, |
thus unfolded to them:
Il eln't trying to scare yer, boys, but |
eff something amt done pretty quick |
our party is beaten. It's bad year
fer us, and we've to hustle eff we get |
the persimmons. The other fellers are |
whooping FER up, and ST Cade, down to
the Corners, to-day offered to bet his
best span of mules that we didn't get
single Office. Now, faint fer me tot
fall Action il nv sfrla and iva